Friends and Neighbors: The Potter Art Loft

When landscape artist Deb Salopek moved to Santa Fe, N.M., from Potter last fall, her little downtown Potter art studio sat empty.

The empty space owned by the Potter Historical Foundation had been vastly renovated and used as a studio for five years. Though more work is needed to complete the renovations, the Foundation didn't want the room to remain empty.

Enter Thomas, Potter-Dix's K-12 art teacher for the past 25 years.

Because the school offers art classes and local youth have many options for after school and weekend activities, there was not necessarily a need for another class or activity.

"The need was more of how to make use of the empty room. It was my idea to continue to use this fun creative space as an art studio... a community art studio that everyone could spend time in if desired," Thomas said.

She stepped in, organized the space and began working. The space was vacant from November 2015 to February 2016.

Classes began in March when the Potter Art L.O.F.T opened. L.O.F.T stands for Lots Of Fun Techniques, she said.

"The main work involved was in finding furniture, gathering supplies and equipment, and advertising to get the classes up and running," she said. "In that upstairs area 2/3s of the upstairs area is renovated and the other 1/3 is currently under construction to remodel and bring it up to date. Then this major task of renovating this entire second floor of a 97 year old building will be complete."

Thomas added that proceeds from the class fees at the Art Loft have been used to purchase tables and chairs.

"Our goal is to get enough furniture to fill the space and then also fundraise for a much needed sink on this second story level," Thomas said.

Currently children's classes are scheduled for Tuesday afternoon for those aged five and older, but Thomas added that the Art Loft is open by request as well for anyone who wished to take a class and spend time doing something creative.

"They (the children) love their Tuesday afternoon class time and have formed a little "club" like atmosphere knowing that they get to come craft with their buddies. The group of children is growing as the word is getting out," she added.

Saturday canvas painting classes are offered with different themes once a month as well as scrapbooking classes, Mommy and Me scrapbooking sessions, and craft classes for teenagers and adults in card making, collage and various crafts.

This is when, according to Thomas, "Pinterest comes to life."

"Once summer vacation is here there will be a variety of summer classes, craft camps and other fun events on the calendar offered during the day," she added. "I am working with another adult community volunteer, Peg Musil, to start a summer kids community volunteer program where children can volunteer to work on a community project and in return will be treated to treats at the Potter Sundry and earn free class time in the Art Loft."

Additionally, Thomas offers "pARTies" and she encourages other to add a little art into birthday parties and other gatherings by scheduling a time to make a project together.

"Since we are located right next to the duckpin bowling alley in Potter, Painting and Bowling parties are also an option. These activities can be combined to make a fun day coming to visit us in Potter," she said.

The Art Loft ties into Thomas's high school community involvement class as well. There she teaches students the importance of volunteering and what it mean to be community-minded.

These students often mentor daycare children and have been recruited to help in the Art Loft as well, alongside parents and other family members.

"The Tuesday afternoon classes have been well received and I am very thankful for the moms who have volunteered to help by either working with the kids, helping with clean up and also helping with getting the kids to and from the Art Loft so that all that want to attend can do so," Thomas said.